Reading, Pa. (Dec. 2, 2023) - DeSales University (4-2) outscored Alvernia University (3-2) 42-35 in the second half as the Bulldogs overcame a first half deficit to defeat Alvernia, 68-63, in non-conference men's basketball action at Alvernia on Saturday afternoon.

After Alvernia led at the half and through the first five minutes of the second half, the Bulldogs took the lead with 14 minutes to play. Alvernia hung within a possession until a 9-0 run late in the second half gave DeSales some separation. The Bulldogs then held off Alvernia from there for the 68-63 win.

A layup by Kyle Gordon marked the opening points of the game, but DeSales responded with a 3-pointer to take a 3-2 lead early. But, a quick five points from Malik Slay gave Alvernia the 7-3 lead through three and a half minutes.

The back and forth that would last the remainder of the game started there as DeSales tied the game up at 7-7 a minute and a half later.

DeSales held Alvernia scoreless for three minutes, but DeSales only took a six point lead, 13-7, during Alvernia's scoreless drought.

A pair of made free throws by Jakob Kelly got Alvernia going again and an Alex Cercado jumper tied the game up at 15-15 with 9:10 to play in the first half.

Another layup by Cercado gave Alvernia the 17-15 lead a minute later, and Alvernia took a 21-17 lead with five minutes to play in the half following a pair of made free throws by Robert Mullan and a layup from Mullan as well.

The Bulldogs fought back and retook the lead, 24-23, with 2:39 to play in the half. After a few trades of the lead, a jumper from Cercado and a Gordon free throw gave Alvernia the 28-26 lead going into the break. 

Both teams struggled from beyond the arc in the first half, combining for a 3-for-21 rate from beyond the arc. 

A 3-pointer from Nigel Cooke opened the second half and gave Alvernia a 31-26 lead, but Alvernia was held scoreless for the next three minutes while the Bulldogs tied it up at 31-31.

Alvernia retook the lead, 34-31, on a Cercado three, but the Bulldogs would take the lead f, 39-37, with just under 14 minutes to play.

The Bulldogs built their lead up to four a few times before Alvernia tied it up at 46-46 a steal and fastbreak layup by Cooke with 8:39 to play. But, the Bulldogs responded with a 3-pointer that would spark a 9-0 run over the next three minutes to take a 55-46 lead with under six minutes to play. The Bulldogs would build their lead up to ten, 59-49, as the clock ticked away. But, a Kelly layup and a pair of made free throws by Mullan made it a two-possession game, 59-53, with 1:18 to play.

After DeSales again took a ten point lead, 63-53, with 54 seconds to play, Alvernia threatened with a quick five points off a Mickeel Allen layup, a DeSales turnover, and a Kelly 3-pointer. But, Alvernia could not get any closer as the Bulldogs made clutch free throws in the final 20 seconds to take the 68-63 win.

Alvernia struggled beyond the arc in the second half as well, shooting just 26% from 3-point range in the final 20 minutes. Alvernia shot 21% on 6-for-28 shooting in 3-point range on the game. The Bulldogs also out-rebounded Alvernia by 11, 43-32.

Cercado led Alvernia with 18 points. Kelly finished with 11 points and Mullan had ten. Gordon led Alvernia with 11 rebounds.

Alvernia has off for finals this week and will return to action on Saturday at Gwynedd Mercy.